Slide and shell container with ledge

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped consumer items, wherein a top wall ( 8 ) of the container comprises an opening ( 9 ), and the container further comprises a ledge ( 12 ), which is arranged below the opening. The top wall ( 8 ) is adapted to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the ledge ( 12 ), in between a lower position and an upper position. The container comprises an inner slide ( 3 ) and an outer shell ( 2 ), wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in the shell, wherein the shell ( 3 ) comprises the ledge ( 12 ), and the slide ( 2 ) comprises the top wall ( 8 ) with the opening, and wherein the ledge protrudes through a cut-out ( 19 ) into the slide.

The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped consumeritems, in particular smoking articles, such as cigarettes.

In the prior art, lifting means for consumer items in containers areknown, in particular lifting means for smoking articles, such ascigarettes and cigars.

Generally, the packing of elongated, rod shaped consumer items such assmoking articles, in particular cigarettes, tends to be very compact.This helps to adequately protect the pack contents and to reduce theamount of material needed. This can reduce cost and waste. Nevertheless,the removal of the first consumer item, in particular a smoking article,from a full pack requires a higher force than of subsequent consumeritems, due to frictional forces that can have a negative impact on thequality of the consumer item when removed. Furthermore, some consumersprefer not to touch the filter end of a smoking article.

The prior art discloses a container for smoking articles. According tothe construction of that container, the dimension of the container inthe longitudinal direction of the smoking articles, is longer than thelength of the smoking articles, such that the smoking articles can moveup and down in the container. A step is provided at the bottom wall ofthe container, beneath an opening, such that by shaking the container, asmoking article can be arranged on the step and protrudes through theopening such that it may be grasped by a consumer.

FR 1 203 196 A discloses a cardboard container for the semi-automaticdistribution of packaged articles, comprising a box and a slide which isarranged inside the box and is movable in the vertical direction. Aflap, which is connected to the slide, may engage the articles when theslide is lifted by pulling on a gripping means. Thus, the articles maybe lifted out of the box.

GB 1 375 393 A discloses a dispenser for articles, such as cigarettes,wherein an ejection device in the form of a slider with an integral armfor engaging the cigarettes in the package is provided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved way ofremoving one or several rod-shaped consumer items from a container.

According to the present invention a container for rod-shaped consumeritems is provided, wherein a top wall of the container comprises anopening, and the container further comprises a ledge, which is arrangedbelow the opening, wherein the top wall is adapted to be movable in thevertical direction relative to the ledge, in between a lower positionand an upper position. The container has an inner slide and an outershell, wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in the shell,wherein the shell comprises the ledge and the slide comprises the topwall with the opening, and wherein the ledge protrudes through a cut-outinto the slide. The cut-out may be formed by a cutting line in a blankor may be any other type of opening. In particular, the shell comprisesa bottom and side walls.

Due to the movability of the top wall in the vertical direction, theheight of the container or the position of the consumer items in thecontainer relative to the ledge can be varied, such that at least one ofthe consumer items can be arranged on the ledge, for example by shakingor tilting the container when the top wall is in the upper position.When the top wall is returned into the lower position, the at least oneconsumer item remains on the ledge and protrudes through the openingwhich is arranged above the ledge. Thus, the at least one consumer itemcan be grasped by a consumer. The other consumer items remain coveredand protected by the top wall and are secured inside the container.

The terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “top”, “bottom” andother terms used to describe relative positions of the components ofcontainers according to the invention refer to the container in anupright position with the opening at the top end. The terms “left” and“right” are used with reference to left and right side walls of thecontainer when the container is viewed from the front in its uprightposition. The consumer items contained in the container may be removedfrom the upper end of the container. The term “longitudinal” refers to adirection from bottom to top or vice versa, namely the verticaldirection defining the height of the container in an uprightorientation. The term “transverse” refers to a direction perpendicularto the longitudinal direction across the front side wall or the backside wall.

The rod-shaped consumer items are in particular extending substantiallyin the vertical longitudinal direction of the container. The size of theopening is preferably at least the size of the projection of the ledgein the direction from the opening to the ledge. In particular, the sizeof the opening substantially corresponds to the cross-section of theconsumer items or is slightly larger. Preferably, the consumer items arecylindrically shaped with a circular cross-section. In particular, theconsumer items are smoking articles in the form of cigarettes.

Preferably, in the upper position, the distance in the longitudinaldirection in between the upper end of the ledge and the top wall isgreater than the length of the rod-shaped consumer items such that atleast one consumer item can be arranged on the ledge, the containerbeing arranged that when the top wall is returned in the lower position,the at least one consumer item, which is arranged on the ledge,protrudes through the opening in the top wall. Thus, the top wall in theupper position enables a movability of the consumer item onto the ledge.

In one embodiment, the container comprises an inner slide and an outershell, wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in the shell,and wherein one of the slide or shell comprises the ledge, and the otherone of the slide and the shell, comprises the top wall with the opening.The ledge may be integral or an additional part with respect to theslide or shell.

In particular, the shell encloses the slide at least partially.

The shell may comprise a top wall and side walls while having an openbottom, and the slide may comprise a bottom wall, at least one side walland the ledge. Thus, the height of the container can be varied whichallows an arrangement of the at least one consumer item on the ledgewhen the top wall, that is the shell, is lifted with respect to theslide.

Preferably, the slide has a bottom wall with the cut-out for the ledgeof the shell. In particular, the cut-out may further extend in at leastone side wall, preferably in two adjacent side walls of the slide. Theslide preferably comprises at least one side wall connecting the bottomwall and the top wall.

In particular, the ledge may be formed by a folded edge of the shell. Acut may be provided which extends perpendicular over a verticallyextending edge of the shell, such that a section of the shell below thecut can be folded towards the inside of the shell, to provide the ledge.Alternatively, the ledge may be formed by an additional element or flapthat is attached to the vertically extending edge of the shell.

In one embodiment, two parallel cuts are provided in the shell whichextend over the vertical extending edge of the shell, such that theportion of the shell in between the cutting lines can be folded towardsthe inside of the shell and forms the ledge. Thus, the lower end of theedge of the shell providing the ledge will remain in its position. Thismay advantageously improve the stability of the container when standingin an upright position.

In a further embodiment, an elastic element is provided below theconsumer items. Preferably, the elastic element is adapted to bias theconsumer items towards the movable top wall. In such an embodiment,moving the top wall towards the lower position compresses the elasticelement. In addition, the consumer items may also be moved towards thelower position, with the exception of the one or more consumer itemsthat are located on the ledge, which remain in their initial positionand protrude from the opening in the top wall when the top wall is movedinto the lower position. When the top wall is released, the elasticelement that is provided below the consumer items may push the top wallback into the upper position. The elastic element may be for example aspring or a block of foamed material. Preferably, a movable bottom wallis provided between the elastic element and the consumer items.

In one embodiment, an elastic means is provided in between the bottomwall of the shell and the bottom wall of the slide. Preferably, theelastic means provides a force to lift the top wall, in particular byforcing the bottom wall of the slide away from the bottom wall of theshell. The elastic means may in particular be spring or a block offoamed material. A releasable locking means may hold the slide in thelower position. In particular, the consumer activates the releasablelocking mechanism, for example by a relative movement of the slide tothe shell, or by a pressure applied to a wall of the container, and thenthe elastic means provides the lifting force for lifting the slide.

In another embodiment, the elastic means may provide a force to lowerthe top wall to the lower position, such that the container isautomatically returned in its initial position.

In one embodiment, the shell comprises a cut-out for allowing theconsumer to engage the slide. Thus, the cut-out allows that a consumercan grasp the side of the front or back side wall of the slide whilesame is arranged in the shell. In particular, cut-outs at opposite wallsof the shell may be provided to allow that the slide can be grasped fromtwo opposite sides. Thus, by means of the cut-out the movement of theslide can be effected more easily by the consumer, in particular when noother force, such as by an elastic means, is provided to the slide.

In one embodiment, a stopping means enables a dead stop in the upperposition of the top wall, such that the top wall is in its lifting endposition in the upper position. In particular, the dead stop enablesthat the top wall is inhibited from being further lifted than the upperposition under normal conditions. Furthermore, the dead stop can alsoenable that the top wall is locked in the upper position and remainslocked until a certain force for lowering the top wall applied to theslide or shell is exceeded.

The dead stop prevents that the container is inadvertently disassembled.In particular, flaps provided on the shell and the slide side wallsextending in different directions and adapted to engage with each otherin the upper position may constitute the stopping means.

In one embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of consumer itemsextending in the upright, longitudinal direction of the container,wherein the width and the depth of the container is smaller than thelongitudinal length of the consumer items. The longitudinal length ofthe consumer items is the main extension direction of the rod-shapedconsumer items. In particular, the consumer items are arranged with thelongitudinal length substantially extending in the vertical direction.This form of the container prevents that the consumer items fall over orare provided in an unoriented manner in the container, even when thecontainer is relatively empty. Further, this form of the containerfacilitates subsequent arrangement of the consumer items on the ledge,as the consumer items are provided substantially in the desiredlongitudinal orientation next to the ledge.

In one embodiment, the ledge is arranged adjacent to two side walls ofthe container. In particular, the ledge is arranged at the folding linedefining an edge of the container. Thus, the position of the consumeritem on the ledge is defined by the adjacent side walls. The ledge iseither connected to the two side walls, or connected to a bottom wall ofthe container.

The distance from the bottom of the container to the ledge, when the topwall is in lower position is preferably substantially the same or lessthan the relative distance of the top wall in the lower position and thetop wall in the upper position. Thus, the protruding length of aconsumer item through the opening of the top wall in the lower positionis substantially the same or less than the height of the ledge.Furthermore, different ledges with different heights can be provided,such that several consumer items are provided with different liftingheights through one or several openings in the top wall.

In one embodiment, the size of the ledge is adapted such that only oneconsumer item with its longitudinal axis extending in the uprightdirection can be arranged thereon. Thus, each operation of the liftingfeature of the container provides one separate consumer item to theconsumer, which may easily be grasped. However, in other embodimentsalso several consumer items with parallel extending longitudinal axescan be arranged on the ledge. In particular two, three, four, five ormore consumer items can be arranged at the same time on one ledge.

In one embodiment, an additional side wall that is located between thecontainer outer side wall and the consumer items is provided, whereinthe additional side wall is adapted to be movable towards the ledge.This may facilitate the movement of the consumer items onto the ledge,when the top wall is in the upper position. In some embodiments, theconsumer can move the movable side wall. Therefore, in particular anopening in the outer shell is provided, to allow access of the consumerto the side wall of the slide. Preferably, the movable side wall is theside wall opposite the ledge in the transverse direction. The movabilityof the side wall is in particular in the direction which issubstantially perpendicular to the lifting direction of the top wall inbetween the lower and upper position.

Alternatively to providing a movable side wall, the consumer items mayjust be moved by gravity onto the ledge, in particular by inclining thecontainer.

In one embodiment, an elastic means is provided between the additionalside wall and the container outer side wall, wherein the elastic elementis adapted to elastically force the movable side wall in the directionof the ledge. The elastic means may in particular be a spring or a blockof foamed material. Preferably, the movable side wall is part of theslide, and the elastic means is arranged in between parallel side wallsof the slide and the shell.

In one embodiment, the opening in the top wall is covered by a lid,which is actionable upon movement of the top wall. In particular,“actionable” means that the lid is adapted to open by a force applied bya protruding consumer item, which is lifted through the opening, or toopen by the relative movement of the top wall with respect to theremaining parts of the container. In particular, the lid is a hingeablelid, which hingedly depends from one edge of the opening.

In one embodiment, the container comprises several consumer items whichare wrapped in an inner liner, wherein the inner liner is provided withperforation lines to facilitate the opening of the inner liner. Theinner liner facilitates the packing of the consumer items in thecontainer. A bundle of consumer items in the inner liner may be providedand then at least one blank of the container may be wrapped around thebundle of consumer items. In particular, at least the blank of the slideis wrapped around the consumer items, and then the shell is providedaround the slide, either by wrapping or by inserting the slide in theshell. Further, the inner liner may provide that the consumer itemsremain fresh, in particular when the inner liner is hermetically sealedaround the consumer items. The perforation lines in the inner liner canbe torn open by relative movement in the container in one embodiment.Additionally or alternatively, a pull tab may be provided on the innerliner in the region of the opening of the container to enable theopening of the inner liner. In particular, a section of inner linerconnected to the pull tab may be delimited by weakening lines, such thatthe pulling of the pull tab tears the inner liner open.

The consumer items within the container may be wrapped with an innerliner, which is visible above the upper edge of a side wall of thecontainer when the container is open.

Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal andright-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may compriseone or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges,bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, orcombinations thereof. For example, the container according to theinvention may comprise, without limitation:

-   -   One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front        side wall, and/or    -   One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back        side wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        side wall, and/or    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back side        wall.    -   One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge        on the front side wall, and/or    -   One transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on        the back side wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        side wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges        on the front side wall.    -   Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall        or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side        wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made froma laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, sixor seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form the rounded edge in theassembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be eitheron the inside of the container or on the outside of the container.Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart fromeach other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is infunction of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacingbetween the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 andabout 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably thebevelled one or more edges have a width of between about 1 mm and about10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, thecontainer may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasinglines or scoring lines that are spaced apart such that two distinctbevels form on the edge of the container.

Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse crosssection, the container may have a for example a polygonal cross sectionsuch as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section whichis oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.

Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from a laminarblank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoringlines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may bearranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a secondwall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arrangedasymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall,such that the bevel extends further into the first wall of the containerthan into the second wall of the container.

The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, butnot limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinationsthereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.

Containers according to the invention may be used as packages for avariety of consumer items. In particularly preferred embodiments,containers according to the invention are used to package smokingarticles. Containers according to the invention may be advantageouslyused to package smoking articles including, but not limited to, knownlit-end cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articlescomprising a combustible fuel element or heat source and anaerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,082) and smoking articles for use withelectrical smoking systems (for example cigarettes of the type disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,525).

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containersaccording to the invention may be designed to hold different totalnumbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smokingarticles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensionsthereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold atotal of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

Containers according to the invention may hold one, two, three four orfive separate bundles of consumer items. The separate bundles may bearranged substantially parallel to the front side wall and to the backside wall or substantially perpendicular to the front side wall and tothe back side wall.

Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in differentcollations, depending on the total number of smoking articles, thedimensions of the smoking articles or the cross sectional shape of thecontainer. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a bundlein a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively,the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two ormore rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example,the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven,eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten;or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or morerows may include at least two rows containing different numbers ofsmoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may bearranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and arow of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middlerow of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five andtwo outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rowsof five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven(7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); amiddle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle rowof six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articlesof the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition,both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with variousfilter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differinglength (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter(for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, thesmoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw andtotal particulate matter delivery. Wherein the container comprises morethan one bundle, each bundle within the same container may hold the sameor different types of smoking articles as listed above.

Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length ofthe smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles.Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smokingarticles housed inside the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height ofbetween about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height ofbetween about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measuredfrom the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width ofbetween about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of betweenabout 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from thefirst side wall to the second side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth ofbetween about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of betweenabout 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the frontside wall to the back side wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferablybetween about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2to 1 and 3 to 1.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surfaces ofcontainers according to the invention may be at least partially coveredwith lacquer, metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or anyother materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of thecontainer.

Where the inner housing of a container according to the presentinvention contains one or more bundles of smoking articles, the smokingarticles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metalfoil or metallised paper.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container mayfurther comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) orother consumer items, for example matches, lighters, extinguishingmeans, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer items may beattached to the outside of the container, contained within the containeralong with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of thecontainer or combinations thereof.

Once filled, containers according to the invention may be shrink wrappedor otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, forexample, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, orientedpolypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinationsthereof in a conventional manner. Where containers according to theinvention are over wrapped, the over wrapper may include a tear tape.The tear tape is preferably positioned sideways around the container,such that once the tear tape has been removed, the opening isaccessible. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided lengthwaysaround the container.

The invention will now be further explained by means of exemplaryembodiments, which are shown in the following Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the containeraccording to the invention with a lifted smoking article.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the containerwith the top wall in the upper position.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the containerwith the top wall in the lower position.

FIG. 5 shows a blank for a slide of a container according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a blank for a shell for a container according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a container comprising elasticmeans for lifting and for the movable side wall.

In FIG. 1, a container 1 according to a first embodiment of theinvention is shown. The container comprises a shell 2 and a slide 3arranged slidable in the vertical longitudinal direction 100 in theshell 2. The shell 2 comprises four side walls, namely a front side wall4, a left side wall 5, a right side wall 6 (see FIG. 3), a back sidewall and a bottom wall 7. In particular, the shell 2 is open at itsupper end, and the container 1 is closed at its upper end by the topwall 8 of the slide 3, which however comprises an opening 9. The topwall 8 forms the top wall of the container. The opening 9 is arrangedadjacent to two upper edges of the top wall 8. The shell 2 is furtherprovided with a cut-out 10 in its upper front side wall 4, wherein afurther corresponding cut-out may be provided in the back side wall ofthe shell 2 in some embodiments. Due to the cut-out 10, at least one ofthe side walls of the slide 3 can be grasped, namely the front side wall11, and in some embodiments the back side wall. A ledge 12 is providedin the lower region of a longitudinally extending edge between the sidewalls 4, 5 of the shell 2. In particular, the ledge 12 is formed by twoparallel cuts 13, 14, which extend generally perpendicular over the edgeof shell 2. Thus, a portion of side walls 4, 5 of the shell 2 can befolded to the inside, such that it protrudes into the slide 3 and formsa ledge 12 on which at least one consumer item 15, in particular in theform of a smoking article, more particular in the form of a cigarette,can be arranged.

In FIG. 1, the container 1 is shown in the state before the liftingprocess. The slide 3 and its top wall 8 forming the top wall of thecontainer 1 are in the lower position. In FIG. 2, the slide 3 is againin the lower position, but a consumer item 15 is already lifted.

The lifting process and further details of the container 1 will now beexplained with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, which show schematic crosssections of the container 1.

Starting from the stage as shown in FIG. 1, the consumer grasps theslide 3 while holding the outer shell 2 and lifts the slide 3, such thatits top wall 8 is arranged in a upper position as shown in FIG. 3. Theslide 3 comprises in addition to the top wall 8, the front side wall 11and a back side wall, further a left side wall 16, a right side wall 17and a bottom wall 18. When the slide 3 is in the upper position as shownin FIG. 3, the bottom wall 18 is arranged at least substantially at theheight of the upper edge of the ledge 12 in the longitudinal direction100 from the bottom wall 7 of the shell 2. Thus, in this liftedconfiguration, the consumer items 15 may move in a transverse direction200, such that at least one consumer item 15 is arranged on the ledge12. The movement of the consumer item 15 may be effected bygravitational forces, namely by slightly lowering the container side onwhich the ledge 12 is provided, or by acceleration force, namely byshaking or tapping the container 1.

In the lower position of the slide 3, the consumer items 15 would not beable to move onto the ledge 12, as their lower ends are in a lowerposition than the ledge 12, while the top wall 8 of the slide 3 preventsmovement of the consumer items 15 to the top.

The inner slide 3 comprises a cut-out 19, which allows the ledge 12 toprotrude into the slide 3 at least in the lower position of the slide 3.Thus, the cut-out 19 allows the relative vertical movement of the slide3 with respect to the shell 2.

Starting from the state of the container 1 as shown in FIG. 3 whereinthe at least one consumer item 15 is arranged on the ledge 12, the slide3 can be lowered again into the lower position as shown in FIG. 4. Thus,while all consumer items, which are arranged under the top wall 8 of theslide and not on the ledge 12, will move together with the slide 3 intothe lower position, the at least one consumer item 15 which is arrangedon the ledge 12 will remain in the upper position on the ledge 12 andwill protrude through the opening 9 provided in the top wall 8 of theslide 3. Thus, the consumer items 15 are in an arrangement as shown inFIG. 4 or FIG. 2, and the at least one consumer item 15 which protrudesthrough the opening 9 can be easily grasped by the consumer.

In FIG. 5, a blank 20 for the slide 3 is shown in a plan view. The blank20 comprises a front panel 21, which forms the front side wall 11 of theslide 3, a left side wall panel 22, which forms the left side wall 16 ofthe slide 3, a back wall panel 23 which forms the back side wall of theslide 3, and a right side wall panel 24, which forms the right side wall17 of the slide. The panels 21, 22, 23, 24 depend from each other, viafolding lines.

A vertically extending fixation tab 25 depends from the right side wallpanel 24 and is adapted to be fixed, in particular by means of adhesive,to the inside of the front side wall panel 21. The blank 20 furthercomprises an inner top wall panel 26 depending from the top of the frontside wall panel 21, and an outer top wall panel 27, depending from thetop of the back side wall panel 23. The outer top wall panel 27 isadapted to be folded on top of the inner top wall panel 26, such thatthey form together the top wall 8 of the slide 3. A cut-out 28 isprovided in the outer top wall panel 27 defining the opening 9 of theslide 3. The inner top wall panel 26 comprises such a shape that it isnot provided in the region of cut-out 28, when the blank 20 is folded toform the slide 3. The inner top wall panel 26 and the outer top wallpanel 27 are connected to each other by means of adhesive in theassembled slide 3.

An inner bottom wall panel 29 depends via a folding line from the lowerside of the front side wall panel 21, and an outer bottom wall panel 30depends via a folding line from the lower side of the back side wallpanel 23. The outer bottom wall panel wall 30 comprises a cut-out 31which forms the lower part of the cut-out 19 of the slide 3. The upperpart of the cut-out 19 of the slide 3 is formed by the cut-out 32 whichis provided at the folding line in between the front side wall panel 21and the left side wall panel 22. The inner bottom wall panel 29 isadapted such that it does not extend in the region of the cut-out 31,when the slide 3 is in the assembled state. The inner bottom wall panel29 and the outer bottom wall panel 30 form together the bottom wall 18of the slide 3, and are particularly fixed by means of adhesive to eachother. Furthermore, a cut-out 33 is provided in the back side wall panel23, to define a stopper flap 34. The stopper flap 34 foldingly dependsfrom the outer bottom wall panel 30. The stopper flap 34 is adapted toengage with a protrusion or flap provided on the inside of the shell 2,to enable a dead stop for the movement of the slide 3 in the shell 2.

In FIG. 5, a blank 35 for the shell 2 is shown in a plan view. The blank35 for the shell 2 comprises a front side wall panel 36, which forms thefront side wall 4 of the shell 2, a left side wall panel 37, which formsthe left side wall 5 of the shell 2, a back side wall panel 38, whichforms the back side wall of the shell 2, and a right side wall panel 39,which forms the right side wall 6 of the shell 2. The panels 36, 37, 38,39 depend from each other via folding lines which are arranged in thelongitudinal direction.

Furthermore, an inner flap 40 depends from the upper side of the backside wall panel 38, wherein the inner flap 40 will be folded towards theinside of the back side wall panel 38 in the assembled state of theshell 2. Preferably, the inner flap 40 is fixed by means of adhesive tothe inside of the back side wall panel 38. The inner flap 40 provides anengagement portion for the stopper flap 34, when the slide 3 is in theupper position with respect to the shell 2. In particular, the upperedge of the stopper flap 34 engages the lower edge of the inner flap 40in this position.

Inner and outer bottom panels 41, 42 depend from the lower side of thefront side wall panel 36 and back side wall panel 38, respectively, andform the bottom wall 7 of the assembled shell 2. The inner and outerbottom panels 41 and 42 are adapted to be connected by means ofadhesive. A fixation tab 43 depends via a folding line from the rightside wall panel 39, and is adapted to be attached to the inside of thefront side wall panel 36. Furthermore, dust flaps 44, 45 are provided atthe lower side of the left and right side wall panel 37, 39. The dustflaps 44, 45 are adapted to be arranged on top of the inner bottom panel41 and prevent dust and particles from entering or exiting the shell 2.The cut-out 10 is provided at the top of the front side wall panel 36,while a further cut-out 46 is provided in the back side wall panel 38and inner flap 40 extending over the folding line in between thesepanels. In particular, the cut-out 46 is symmetrically provided withrespect to the folding line in between the back side wall panel 38 andinner flap 40.

Extending across the folding line in between the front side wall panel36 and the left side wall panel 37, two parallel cuts 13, 14 areprovided, which are arranged perpendicular with respect to the foldingline. The ends of the respective cuts 13, 14 are connected by foldinglines 47, 48, such that the cuts 13, 14 and the folding lines 47, 48form a substantially rectangular portion of the blank 35. In theassembled shell 2, the portion delimited by the cuts 13, 14 and foldinglines 47, 48 will be folded towards the inside of the shell 2, to formthe ledge 12.

In FIG. 6, a further embodiment of a container 1 according to theinvention is shown. The container generally corresponds to the containerof the former embodiment, wherein the differences to the previousembodiment will be explained in the following. In particular, an elasticmeans 49, preferably in the form of a spring, is arranged in between thebottom wall 7 of the shell 2 and the bottom wall 18 of the slide 3. Theelastic means 49 forces the slide 3 upwardly in the longitudinaldirection 100. In particular, a locking means may be provided, such asengaging panels of the slide 3 and shell 2, which maintains the slide inthe lower position, however, when the locking means, in particular thepanels, disengage, the slide will automatically move to the upperposition as shown in FIG. 6.

A further modification in the embodiment according to FIG. 6 is that theright side wall 17 of the slide 3 is movable in the transverse widthdirection 200. This serves the purpose that consumer items, which havebeen omitted for the sake of clarity in FIG. 6, can be moved in thetransverse direction 200 when the slide 3 is in the upper position, suchthat at least one consumer item will be arranged on the ledge 12. Anelastic means 50, preferably in the form of a spring, is provided inbetween the right side wall 6 of the shell 2 and the right side wall 17of the slide 3. Thus, the consumer items 14 are automatically moved inthe transverse width direction 200. However, in other embodimentsalternatively or additionally an opening may be provided in the rightside wall 6 of the shell 2, such that the consumer can engage themovable right side wall 17 of the slide 3 and apply pressure on it tomove the consumer items onto the ledge 12.

It is emphasized that the features regarding the elastic means 49, theelastic means 50, and regarding the opening in the right side wall 6 canbe provided as well separate from each other, as each of these featuresprovides a separate beneficial effect.

The opening 9 of the slide 3 may be covered by a hingeable lid 51, whichdepends via a folding line either from the top wall 8 of the slide 3 orfrom any of the adjacent side walls to the opening 9, wherein the lid 51may be adapted such that it automatically opens by being pushed by theconsumer item which is protruding through the opening 9 when the slide 3is returned to the lower position with a consumer item 15 arranged onthe ledge 12.

Not shown in the embodiments and the Figures, the consumer items, inparticular in the form of smoking articles, may be comprised in an innerliner, which comprises cuts or perforation lines in particular in theregion of the opening 9 and the ledge 12 to allow that individualconsumer items 14 can move by means of the ledge 12 through the opening9. Further, this inner liner may comprise a pull tab, which protrudesthrough the opening 9 and can be removed by the consumer beforeoperating the lifting feature of the container 1 for the first time.Several consumer items can be lifted at the same time by means of theledge 12, however, it is preferred that the number of consumer itemswhich are lifted is 10% or less from the total number of consumer itemsinitially provided in the container. Thus, only a small fraction of theconsumer items will be lifted by the lifting operation, thus providingsmall dispensing amounts of consumer items.

The preferred material for forming the blanks 20, 35 is cardboard,however, other sheet-like materials such as polymers or metal may beused as well. Furthermore, it is also possible to not use foldableblanks, but to provide an integrally formed shell or slide, inparticular formed by means of polymer injection molding.

In one embodiment, the maximum lifting height of the slide with respectto the shell is about 13 mm. The height of the container in thelongitudinal direction 100 is preferably between about 85 mm and about105 mm, while the width in the transverse direction is about 85 mm aswell. The depth of the container is preferably about 18 mm. The upperedge of the ledge is preferably arranged in a distance of about 24 mmwith respect to the bottom wall of the shell. The cut-out in the slideregarding the ledge corresponds in its height to the upper end of theledge 12. The cut-outs 10, 14 provided at the upper edge of the frontand back side walls of the shell have preferably a height of about 12mm.

1. A container for rod-shaped consumer items, wherein a top wall of thecontainer comprises an opening, and the container further comprises aledge, which is arranged below the opening, wherein the top wall isadapted to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the ledge,in between a lower position and an upper position, wherein the containercomprises an inner slide and an outer shell, wherein the slide isvertically movably arranged in the shell, wherein the shell comprisesthe ledge, and the slide comprises the top wall with the opening, andwherein the ledge protrudes through a cut-out into the slide.
 2. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein in the upper position, thedistance in between the upper end of the ledge and the top wall isgreater than the length of the rod-shaped consumer items, such that atleast one consumer item can be arranged on the ledge, the containerbeing arranged that when the top wall is returned in the lower position,the at least one consumer item, which is arranged on the ledge,protrudes through the opening in the top wall.
 3. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the container comprises an inner slide andan outer shell, wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in theshell, and wherein one of the slide or the shell comprises the ledge,and the other one of the slide and the shell comprises the top wall withthe opening.
 4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the slidehas a bottom wall, which comprises the cut-out for the ledge of theshell.
 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the shellcomprises a cut-out for allowing the consumer to engage the slide. 6.The container according to claim 1, wherein an elastic element isprovided below the consumer items.
 7. The container according to claim1, wherein a stopping element enables a dead stop in the upper positionof the top wall, such that the top wall is in its lifting end positionin the upper position.
 8. The container according to claim 1, whereinthe container comprises a plurality of consumer items extending in theupright direction of the container, wherein the width and depth of thecontainer is smaller than longitudinal length of the consumer items. 9.The container according to claim 1, wherein the ledge is arrangedadjacent to two side walls of the container.
 10. The container accordingto claim 1, wherein the size of the ledge is adapted such that only oneconsumer item with its longitudinal axis extending in the uprightdirection can be arranged thereon.
 11. The container according to claim1, wherein a side wall of the container is movable towards the ledge tofacilitate the movement of the consumer items onto the ledge, when thetop wall is in the upper position.
 12. The container according to claim11, wherein an elastic element is provided, which is adapted toelastically force the movable side wall in the direction of the ledge.13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the opening in the topwall is covered by a lid, which is actionable upon movement of the topwall.
 14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the containercomprises several consumer items which are wrapped in an inner liner,wherein the inner liner is provided with perforation lines to facilitatethe opening of the inner liner.
 15. The container according to claim 2,wherein the container comprises an inner slide and an outer shell,wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in the shell, andwherein one of the slide or the shell comprises the ledge, and the otherone of the slide and the shell comprises the top wall with the opening.16. The container according to claim 2, wherein the slide has a bottomwall, which comprises the cut-out for the ledge of the shell.
 17. Thecontainer according to claim 2, wherein the shell comprises a cut-outfor allowing the consumer to engage the slide.
 18. The containeraccording to claim 2, wherein an elastic element is provided below theconsumer items.
 19. The container according to claim 2, wherein astopping element enables a dead stop in the upper position of the topwall, such that the top wall is in its lifting end position in the upperposition.
 20. The container according to claim 2, wherein the containercomprises a plurality of consumer items extending in the uprightdirection of the container, wherein the width and depth of the containeris smaller than longitudinal length of the consumer items.